We’ve already covered some of the bad habits we need to be getting rid of to become our healthier selves. But it can difficult to give up those habits cold turkey. So, here is a collection of tips on how to help you displace, replace and get over those cravings. They’re not immediate fixes, so some willpower’s required on your end. However, they will make that journey to a better you all the easier. So, let’s get down to it and see how to beat those cravings.Sugar

This is the biggie for a lot of us. Sugar’s one of those cravings that can hit you hard and not leave you for hours on end. Woe betide the woman with a sweet tooth who goes to the store without eating first. The key to beating that sugar addiction is simply finding better delicious treats! There are loads of sugar free recipes to learn that are still sweet and sumptuous. Getting into making and baking them yourself can also keep you busy. This keeps you distracted from the more immediate impulse of running to the shop to buy something you shouldn’t.

Alcohol

Whether you consider yourself to have a serious drinking problem or you’re looking to cut down on a more casual drink now and then. Getting rid of this habit is all kinds of good for your health. As well as keeping your liver in good condition, it’s also a way of cutting out a major source of weight gain. The more severe your cravings for alcohol are, the better it would be to get advice from someone medically qualified. However, one method of reducing alcohol craving that works wonders is exercise. Exercise keeps you busy and distracted. It also does wonders for your mood chemistry, giving a natural high that will make you less likely to turn to a little drink.

SmokingThere are all kinds of ways to deal with this one. Patches, chewing gum, nicotine tablets. A recommended first step to cutting this completely from your life is e-cigarettes. Still quite new, we recommend using the larger vendors and services for better products. All the same, e-cigarettes replicate the sensory relief of smoking a real cigarette, as well as hitting that nicotine craving. Thankfully, it lacks all the tar, tobacco and other nastiness from its analogue cousin. Plus, you can smoke it inside most places that cigarettes are banned so no more standing out in the bitter cold and rain for you fix.Stress

Stress is a habit we don’t have much control over and not one we get anything out of. All the same, it can take a lot out of you and lead you into all sorts of other unhealthy coping behaviours. Depending on how severe our problems with stress are, a trip to the doctor can be necessary. One way to deal with it is to start meditation. It helps to:

calms your body

helps your breathing

slows your heart rate

relieves muscle tension

All this neutralises the physical side-effects of stress. It also lets you put your day and your difficulties in perspective. This gives you space to detach yourself and cope better with whatever troubles come your way.These are not magical cures for our habits, but alongside one another they can give you a real shot at making a healthier you instead of just wishing for it.

If you’ve been experiencing one or two bad hair days recently, you’re not alone. Most of us suffer wayward tresses at some point. It might be to do with the fabric of your clothing, your hair products, or even your hormones. But the worst perpetrator has to be the weather. Heat, damp, and cold wreak havoc for hairstyles. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure your hair stays beautiful no matter what.

Eat For Your Hair

Diet can affect our hair in many ways. The scalp will respond to the nutrition and water we consume. In turn, that can have an effect on the hair. The hair itself is mostly dead, but the roots are very much alive. To keep your hair looking good from root to tip, eat more spinach to prevent breakages. Fruits give us extra vitamin C, and oily fish has Omega 3 to help hair stay shiny. Meat eaters can rest assured that the protein from chicken goes a long way to help reduce hair loss caused by protein deficiency too. Vegetarians need to be sure they maintain good levels of protein in their diets.

Do What The Celebrities Do

Following celebrity trends for hairstyles and hair care can help you stay on trend too. You can also find out what doesn’t work for them at this website. Read up on any interviews with celebrities that discuss their hair care and styling. This will help you stay in the loop and be sure that you too can enjoy the very best and very latest products. After all, who wouldn’t want Ariana Grande’s thick locks, or Taylor Swift’s sleek waves?

Don’t Overdo It

When it comes to styling, it’s important not to overdo. You can easily damage hair with heat and excess chemical products. Colors and setting formulas should be used in moderation. Regular trimming is good for the hair, but cutting a lot of hair length off at once may then require extra styling to tame what’s left. Your hair needs to rest and be cleansed gently each day. Your scalp can also suffer from excessive shampoo and spray near the root.

Good Circulation

As your hair is attached to your scalp at the root, it’s important to keep the circulation here healthy. This ensures the root receives a good blood supply. Regular exercise helps a lot so try to work out for the sake of your hair. Ironically, the sweat may ruin your do, but choosing a product free workout style will reduce the impact. Let your scalp breathe too. If you regularly choose up-dos, try to wear it down every couple of days, so the hair falls naturally. This helps the air reach your scalp.

Perfect Products

We all have our preference for certain hair care products. And sometimes it’s nice to try something new. Be sure to pick products that cater for your hair condition and age. It’s nice to get the freshest thing, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for your hair type.

I love trying new hair products and getting a new cut. But I also love letting my hair be free of products and styling for a couple of days. Besides, I think the wild look might suit me! Tame your hair with a gentle approach.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t deal with a bad cup of coffee in the morning. I need a gourmet filtered coffee to get me going! I love the rich texture, and the roasted smell of fresh beans. Delicious! Not all of us live right next to a coffee shop, so you’ve got to learn how to recreate it in your home.I like to think I’ve mastered the art, and I’ll share my technique with you today. Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping my eye on the expert baristas, and I think I’ve got it locked down! Who knows, maybe soon I’ll even master the love-heart foam pattern too. I’m not going to lie, it’s become a bit of a hobby! For now, let’s just make the perfect cup of joe.

Good equipmentFirst of all, you need the right equipment. Ideally, you want to grind the beans from scratch (more on that later), and put them into a real coffee maker. Espresso machines are easy to get your hands on, and they make a real difference. The right equipment helps heat the water correctly, and pour it through the ground beans perfectly. Don’t skimp on your equipment, it’s the heart of a good coffee!Filtered waterThis one is entirely up to you, but I like to use filtered water rather than the regular tap water. When you visit a good coffee shop, they’re all using filtered and purified water. It helps accentuate the taste of the coffee and hides any blemishes in your local water. Water tends to adopt a different taste in different parts of the country. So, if you can run it through a filter first, it will taste even better. Good quality beansDifferent beans have a different taste and texture to each other. You’ll find some with hints of chocolate and sweetness. Others will take on a darker and more bitter taste. It’s all about finding the perfect taste for you. Personally, I like it dark, rich, and strong! Most supermarkets have a variety of beans on offer, but you can also visit an artisanal coffee shop. They usually sell packets of their beans to customers so you can get your hands on the best!The perfect cappuccinoWhen it comes to coffee, I always trust the Italians. And their philosophy on coffee is that the mornings are for cappuccinos. Drinking one after 12 pm, is sacrilege! So I’ve learnt to make the perfect cappuccinos for the morning. To get the richest, foamiest finish, you’ll need to use full-fat milk. Use a milk frother to warm up the milk from the bottom. When the container is burning hot, use the foamer on the surface of the milk to whip up the foam. A little something sweetThe last part is completely up to you, but I have an intense sweet tooth! I like to finish the coffee with a little amaretto biscuit. You could also sprinkle some chocolate or cinnamon on top to give it an extra kick!Okay, well now I’ve made myself thirsty. I’m off to make a coffee. Until next time!

Creating unique outfits is one of the most fun parts of getting dressed. You don’t want to look the same as everybody else so, adding your own personal touch is important. The 8 tips in this post will help you make any look your very own

Include Something Vintage

If you wear a lot of modern clothing, including something vintage could be just the tip you need to give your outfit that unique edge. You can’t go wrong including the odd vintage item here and there. People will beg you to tell them where you buy your clothes, and you can smugly tell them that it’s vintage! Nobody else will own what you own, and there’s no better feeling than having a totally unique clothing collection.

Customise Your Own Clothes

If you missed my previous post you can find it here: things to do with your old clothes your own clothes can be lots of fun and save you a tonne of money. You can even make your own clothes from scratch if you’re willing to be patient. You could do handcrafted knitwear, dresses, or anything else your heart desires. It just takes a little practice and a few supplies! In some cases, all you need is an old pair of jeans and a pair of scissors!

Don’t Be Afraid to ClashDon’t be afraid to clash colours and patterns. Bright blue worn with yellow might feel like an eyesore to some, but it’s actually a very good clashing colour combination. If you’re brave enough, you’ll be able to pull this off and so much more! Always AccessoriseAlways accessorise your outfits to get the most out of them. You should aim to fill in the gaps, so to speak, each day. You might just need a necklace to finish off the outfit. In some cases, lots of bangles and stacking rings. It all depends on your style and the kind of outfit you’re wearing. Don’t Follow TrendsDon’t follow trends if you want to look unique. Trends are trends for a reason, so only follow them if you feel they suit you perfectly and you know you’ll get your wear out of them. Take Tips from Designers and StylistsDesigners and stylists have some amazing tips, so read up on them and see what you can learn. For example, Gok Wan can take regular accessories and find multiple other ways to wear them to create an awesome outfit. Pay Attention to Smaller DetailsThe smaller details will make a big difference in your outfit, so pay attention to them. Things like your socks and even something like your earrings can be the finishing touch to your look. Love the Clothes You WearLoving the clothes you wear is the key to looking amazing. Don’t wear something because somebody else wore it. Don’t copy your favourite blogger or Instagrammer. Wear clothes you love and you’ll go far!

Everyday life brings its own unique challenges that we have to deal with. Whether it’s a stressful day at work or a chaotic home life, many of us spend our days looking forward to bedtime and having a well-deserved rest. It can be tempting just to crawl into bed without even thinking about your skin. But not cleansing your skin or removing your makeup could cause damage and speed up the ageing process. A night time skin routine can improve your skin’s condition and reduce skin issues you may be experiencing. So to get you started here are some essential night time products you need to invest in.

Makeup Remover

Removing your makeup before you go to bed allows your skin to breathe and heal while you sleep. Not removing it can result in clogged pores that can make your skin oilier than usual. This oil can encourage spots and pimples to develop which can be hard to get rid of. Invest in a good quality makeup remover that is strong enough to get rid of foundation, mascara and lipstick. But make sure it is not too harsh or it may irritate and dry out your skin. Doing this will make it easier to cleanse and unclog your pores when you wash your face. Don’t vigorously scrub at your face to remove your makeup as this can damage the skin and cause wrinkles. Apply the remover to a soft cotton wool pad and use gentle circular motions on your face and neck.

Cleansing & Exfoliating Face Wash

Just using a makeup remover before you go to bed will not do. You could still have dirt and leftover makeup on your face. Cleansing and exfoliating your face will remove any debris from your pores and get rid of your dead skin. A face wash that has both cleansing and exfoliating properties is ideal but make sure it is suitable to your skin type. This will give your skin a deep clean leaving it feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Make sure you use warm water to wash your face to open up your pores so that the face wash can penetrate your skin. Thoroughly massage it into your face to remove all the residue in and on your skin. Pat your face gently with a towel to allow your skin to soak up the moisture from the water.

Moisturising Night Cream

Now your skin is feeling clean; it’s time to get it hydrated. A youth recovery night cream for all skin types will help you maintain your skin’s elasticity making you look more youthful. Moisturising your skin before you skin can also reduce wrinkles and soothe the skin’s surface. It can also help with cell regeneration that can give you a healthier and more even skin tone. Moisturising is essential as dehydrated skin can cause wrinkles and premature ageing. So this should be an important part of your routine.

It only takes five minutes to apply these products before bed but they can make a significant difference to your skin’s condition. It will begin to look and feel incredible and this routine allows it to repair and heal itself more effectively.

About Me

We are a Scottish blogging duo who love everything food and geek related. Connor also loves gaming (Runescape and Battlefield at the moment), technology, Star Wars, and music. Elyse loves fragrance, pretty shoes, candles and cake! You can also find Elyse over on http://www.bohemiaandbabydust.com/ and Connor on http://www.apiratesview.com/

If you would like to get in touch with either of us you can do so on the email below.